Shooting gallery



Jan. 12, 1943. R, c. RICHARDSON \SHOOTING GALLERY,

, Filed Oct. 10, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 12, 19 3- R. G. RICHARDSON SHOOTING GALLERY Filed Oct. 10, 1938 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIII'IIIIIIII scoRE El@@@ Jan. 12, 1943 RlcHARDSON 2,307,958

SHOOTING GALLERY 7 Filed Oct. 10, 19:8 4 Sheeis-Sheet s Jan. 12, 1943. R. 5. RICHARDSON SHOOTING GALLERY 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Oct. 10, 1938 Patented Jan. 12, 1943 UNITED STATES .i z i'i'EN'i' 'OFFICE SHOOTKNG GALLERY The present invention relates in general to shooting galleries, but more in particular to miniature indoor shooting galleries for rifle or pistol; and the general object of the invention is to provide an economical and high efficient apparatus of this character.

A special object of the invention is a shooting gallery of the foregoing character which includes score and shot registers and bullet-actuated electromagnetic means for controlling such registers.

A further object of the invention is the provision of register control means responsive to bulletactuated contact devices, which exercises accurate and reliable control of the register notwithstanding uncertain or erratic operation of the Contact devices.

A further object of the invention is the provision of register control means responsive to bulletactuated contact devices, which accurately con:-

trols the register notwithstanding that two contact devices may at times be actuated by single bullet.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a shooting gallery having remote control and supervisory features whereby the same be operated and supervised an attendants station.

Other objects and features of the invention will be pointed out in the course of the description of the invention and its operation, which will now be proceeded with, reference being made to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings,

Fig. l is a side View of the complete shooting gallery;

Fig. 2 is a front view, showing the opening into the silencer chamber, the shot and score indicators, and other details;

Fig. 3 is a section through the target on the line 3-3, Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is another section through the target the line 4-4, Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a detail drawing of the guard for preventing withdrawal of the rifie from the gallery;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary view of a portion of the target showing a modified arrangement for preventing fraudulent manipulation of the bullseye contact device; and

Fig. 7 is a diagrammatic circuit drawing of the recording and indicating mechanism.

Referring to the drawings, the reference character 2, Fig. 1, indicates an upright front casing which surrounds the forward end of the silencer chamber 3. This casing is enlarged at the bottom r to form a compartment or chamber 1 for housing Hodney G. Richardson, Chicago, Ill.

0, 1938, Serial No. 234,088

the recording and indicating mechanism. A door 8 having a suitable lock provides for access to this compartment. Extending forward from the compartment l is an extension indicated generally by the reference character it. This extension includes bottom, side, and end members, as shown, and also a top 2%, which may be of glass, and which is preferably sloping toward the front. Resting on the glass top 24 is a railing composed of side members 21 and 22 and end members and 23. This railing, together with the glass member 24, forms a large, shallow, open receptacle in which empty shells are accumulated and from which they may be brushed ofi from time to time into a drawer 25. This latter is centrally located at the front of the extension Hi, as seen in Fig. 2, which also shows the railing members. Two sloping guide members 25 and 2'! may be provided to direct the shells into the drawer. Game apparatus may be located beneath the glass top 24, if desired, and sumcient space is left at either side of the drawer 25 for installation of control devices, including a propelling device if a ball and pin game is used. The invention is not concerned with the nature of such game apparatus and hence it is not shown in the drawings.

Fig. 2 also shows the arrangement at the forward end of the silencer chamber 3. Two heavy metal rods i8 and i9 extend vertically across the opening, and the space to the sides of these rods is preferably closed by means of wire screen such as ii. This screening partially closes the opening and affords a certain degree of protection against ricochets. The muzzle of a rifle such as H, Fig. 1, may be inserted between the bars or rods H3 and i9, and is prevented from being withdrawn by a guard 23, shown also in Fig. 5. This guard may be attached to the ride barrel by small screws, or by a more permanent arrangement if desired. For convenience in detaching and attaching the guard so that the rifle can be removed for cleaning, a small door may be provided. This door, of course, is kept locked.

Beneath the opening into the silencer chamber is a panel or escutcheon plate 23, in which openings are provided through which may be seen the number wheels of the shot and score indicators. The indicator at the left, labeled Shots, shows the number of shots fired, while the one at the right, labeled Score, shows the accumulated score as firing proceeds. The indicator apparatus is, of course, mounted in the compartment 1 in the proper position so that the number wheels will register with the openings. This apparatus will be explained shortly.

a rod 58 and two springs 56 and 57.

The silencer chamber 3 extends to the rear from the casing 2 and terminates in the target housing 6. The target is located in this housing. To facilitate inspection and adjustment of the target, a door 5 may be provided, fitted with a proper lock.

The apparatus may be mounted on the floor by any suitable means. As shown, there are three U-shaped pipes l2, l3, and I l, braced together at the bottom by horizontal pipes I5 and it. This affords a rigid support for the parts.

Reference'may now be made to Figs. 3 and 4 for a description of the target. Inside the housing t there is secured a horseshoe-shaped member 45, which acts as a support for the front or miss plate ti and for other parts. The front plate M is secured to member All by a number of machine screws, as shown, and forms a partition across the entire front of the housing except for a space at the bottom where the lead drawer is located. At the center of plate 4! there is an opening 42.

Spaced away from plate 4| to the rear is a plate or disk 43, which is supported by means of The rod 53 passes through openings in the plate Al and in the member 48, in which it fits loosely. Surrounding the rod 58 on opposite sides of plate l3 are coil springs 48 and 49, which bear against the plate ll and the member 46, respectively. These springs are under a slight tension. The plate 43 carries two other rods similar to rod 58, of which one, rod 58', is shown in Fig. 3. These other rods fit loosely in openings in the member 69 but do not extend as far forward as the plate ll. Associated with each of these other rods is a pair of springs such as 59 and 60. The pair of springs 58 and t9 and the two pairs of springs including the pair 555& constitute a resilient positioning means for the plate 43,

which permits it to yield and move rearwardly under the impact of a bullet. The opposing springs of the respective pairs serve to overcome the effect of the inertia of the plate, which would otherwise tend to prevent its movement in re-- sponse to a sudden impact. The plate 43 has a central opening 44, which is somewhat smaller than the opening 62 in plate M.

In order to operate the recording mechanism when a bullet strikes the front or miss plate M, a number of contact devices are employed. One of these is shown in the drawings and comprises an L-shaped bracket 55, secured to the plate l3 by two small screws, a pendulum 51 the weighted end of which rests against the back of plate 4!, and an insulated contact spring 52. When a bullet strikes the plate 4! in the Vicinity of the pendulum the weight will swing to the rear, into an opening 53 in'plate 43 which is provided to allow this action, and will make contact with the contact spring 52 momentarily. The other contact devices associated with the plate 4| are distributed around the opening 42. As they are all the same only one has been shown in the drawings.

There are also a plurality of contact devices associated with the plate 43, in order to record shots which are suficiently accurate to enter the opening 42, but which do not enter the opening 44. These devices could be like the ones associated with the plate H, but in view of the way the plate 43 is supported a more simple arrangement can be used. As shown, a contact spring 55 is mounted between insulators on the member 45 and is adjusted so that it will be engaged by the contact 54 on the back of plate 43 when the plate moves slightly to the rear under the impact of a bullet.

Behind the plate 43 is located a movable head comprising the plate 58, a cup-shaped housing member 41, the lower side of which is cut away, and a plate 45. The latter has a central hub 6i fitting in a flanged opening in the housing mem ber 41. The bulls-eye opening is indicated at 45. The plate is pressed away from the member 4'! by a coil spring 62, and is pulled toward it by three springs, of which two, springs 63 and 66, appear in Fig. 3. This arrangement is somewhat similar to the arrangement for resiliently supporting plate 43, and permits the plate 5 to yield to the impact of a bullet. The hub ii is tapered slightly to permit a rocking movement of plate 45 in one direction or another depending on where the bullet strikes. The plate 45 carries a plurality of contacts on the back side, and there are a plurality of cooperating contact springs such as 65 mounted on the housing member 41. As shown, the spring 65 is held in position by means of suitable insulators and a small bolt 81. These contact springs are so adjusted that a slight retrograde movement of plate 45 will cause one or more of them to be engaged by the associated contacts on the plate.

The cup-shaped housing member 47 encloses the bulls-eye contact mechanism. This includes a supporting bracket 19, at the end of which is fixed a stud 9|. The reference character indicates a member comprising a downwardly-extending portion 82, a curved forwardly-extending arm 8|, and two ears such as 83. One of these ears is cut away in the drawings. The two ears have openings drilled through them to receive the stud 98, whereby the member 80 is pivotally supported on this stud. Attached to the member 80 is a contact spring 34, adapted to cooperate with the contact spring 85. The latter is mounted on the member 41 by means of the small bolt 86 and suitable insulators. The member 80 is held in position by means of two springs 88 and 89, which permit it to rotate on the stud 9! under the impact of a bullet and bring contact spring 84 into engagement with contact spring 85. The reference character 90 indicates a striker plate fixed to the part 82 and covering the bulls-eye opening E5.

It will be seen that a bullet passing through the bulls-eye opening 36 will effectively operate the member 80, whereas if an attempt is made to fraudulently operate the member Bil by means of an implement inserted from the front, such attempt will be defeated. A long wire or rod, for instance, could be passed down the silencer chamber 3 and through the bulls-eye opening 46 into engagement with the plate 90. When the plate 90 is pressed back, however, the end of arm 8| 'will move down and will grip the wire or rod being used in ample time to prevent the closure of contact at 85.

The movable head described in the foregoing is supported on five springs 14-18, as shown in housing 939'|, a shaft 96, a shaft 93, and a cam 10. The shaft of motor 99 is provided with a worm cooperating with a worm gear on a countershaft in housing 98. This countershaft carries a pinion engaging a spur gear on shaft 96, the pinion and spur gear being located in housing 51. Shaft 96 drives shaft :3, which has a bearing in 95, by means of a coupling 94. The cam H3 is mounted on shaft 53 by means of a hub 92. Any other suitable arrangement for driving the shaft 93 can be employed. Small motor units are available which comprise a motor and suitable speed-reducing gears all in one housing.

The cam l3 lies between the plate 68 of the movable head and a plate E9, which is secured to the former plate by means of three studs 35, 31, and 38, Fig. l. The construction is has understood from inspection of Fig. 3, which er;- poses the parts associated with the stud 38. As shown here, the plate 69 is clamped against the plate 68 with an intervening cylindrical spacer which is slightly thicker than the cam Hi. This spacer acts as a bearing for the roller E3. The other studs are similarly equipped with spacers which afford bearings for rollers H and T2. The cam therefore fits loosely between the plates 5'! and 69, but at the same time it maintains the spring suspended movable head in position by preventing movement thereof to right or left, as seen in Fig. 3. The springs normally hold the movable head in the position shown, with the bulls-eye 45 centrally disposed behind the opening 44, but when the motor 93 is in operation the cam 18 rotates, and the two lobes of the cam successively engage the rollers such as ii and move the head, causing the bulls-eye 5 to move toward the margin of the opening 54 and then return to the center. Each roller, when engaged by the cam, moves the bulls-eye in a different direction, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 4:. The simple form of cam shown in the drawings may be replaced by other and more complicated forms if desired.

From the foregoing description of the target it will be seen that bullets fired at the target will either strike the front plate 4!, the plate 33, the plate 45, or the plate 93. These plates should be made of steel, although special ammunition can be used which is not very destructive. tention is called to the fact that the parts are so arranged that bullets and fragments thereof can readily fall from the plates into the lea-d drawer 39, which avoids clogging up the target. The entire front of plate 5!, for instance, is unobstructed, and bullet fragments fall directly into the drawer. As regards plates 53 and these plates can. only be struck near the center, that is, by bullets passing through opening =22, and the two pairs of springs such as 59 and are spaced apart at a distance which is considerably more than the diameter of opening 62. No contact devices are mounted in this space either, so that bullet fragments can also fall directly from plates 3-3 and into the drawer. As regards bulls-eye shots which strike the plate 9%, the lower side of the oup shaped ember a"! is cut away, as shown, permit the bullets and fragments thereof to fall out will be deflected downward to a certain extent,

which facilitates disposal of the lead, as described.

If soft lead bullets are used of such a character that they will flatten out on striking the target but will not break up, no further provision is required for handling the lead. However, if bullets are used of the type wrich break up or disintegrate on impact against the target, it is advisable to use guards to prevent spattering, which might otherwise cause trouble with the various other parts, particularly the contact devices. Two of these guards, shaped like an inverted U, are shown in Fig. 3, where they are indicated by reference characters and 35. These guards may be spot welded to plates 4| and 43, respectively, in the position shown, where they are effective to prevent up ward and side spattering of bullet fragments. Similar guards may be used between plates 63 and 45, but in this case they should be spaced far enough apart so as not to interfere with the movement of the bulls-eye. If n cessary, suitable guards may also be associated with the plate 90, and may take the form of a rim around the sides and top of this plate.

Reference may now be made in the diagrammatic circuit drawing, Fig. '7, which shows the recording and indicating apparatus. There are five indicators, indicated by reference characters I to 1 respectively. These indicators may be of any well known type which is suitable for the purpose, and hence are shown in diagrammatic form. The indicator 1 comprises a shaft It! on which is mounted a ratchet wheel I62, a number wheel 15!, and a cam I65. There is also a stepping magnet Ids, which drives the shaft l6! by means of the armature I64 and pawl I65, the latter cooperating with the ratchet wheel 162. The number wheel is advanced when the stepping magnet deenergizes. A detent I63 prevents backward movement of the number wheel. Associated with the cam [66 is a spring assembly comprising the two working contact springs i and MI and the associated make and break contact springs. The other indicators 1 to I inclusive, may be of the sam construction, except for differences in the arrangement of contact springs associated with the cams,

, which will be explained subsequently.

The indicators 1 to 1 inclusive, are score indicators. Indicator I is the tens indicator; that is, this indicator shows the tens digit of the score. The indicators 1 and I are the hundreds and thousands indicators, respectively. As will appear subsequently, the lowest value assigned to any shot which counts in the score is ten. and consequently the units digit of the score is always zero. No units indicator is required, therefore, a dummy indicator wheel carrying the digit 0 being provided in the units position. Fig. 2 shows the indicators from the front, or rather the number wheels, as they appear through the windows of the plate 29. As shown here, the digit 1 is set up on the thousands indicator, and the hundreds and tens indicators are both set for the digit 4, thereby displaying the number 1440.

The indicators 1* and I are shot indicators; that is, they record and display the total number of shots fired. Indicator 1 displays the units digit and indicator I the tens digit. Fig. 2 shows the number wheels of these indicators set to display the number 48.

The indicators are controlled or set by means of relays Ii!!! to HI, inclusive, which in turn are controlled by the contact devices at the tar'- get. These contact devices are shown diagrammatically at the upper left-hand corner. The relays used may be ordinary telephone type relays of well known construction. Additional relays I I2 to II 8, inclusive, are of the same type and are used for controlling the restoration of the indicators and for general control and supervisory purposes, as will be explained.

A number of lamps are shown which will be briefly described. Lamp I93 is the bulls-eye lamp and is located in the housing 41, as seen in Fig. 3. Lamp I94 is a special display lamp and is lit up momentarily every time a shot strikes the bulls-eye. Lamp I92 is lit upon the completion of a round comprising a predetermined number of shots. These last two lamps may be located on top of the casing 2, as shown in Fig. 2. Lamp I95 is a supervisory lamp, and with the keys K and K may be located at a control point where the galleries are assigned to shooters and the ammunition is sold.

As explained heretofore, the indicators and the controlling relays are suitably mounted in the compartment l, shown in Fig. l, which makes it necessary to run a number of wires back to the target. Six conductors are required altogether, four for the contact devices of the target and one each for the motor 99 and the lamp I93. It should be pointed out here that the entire frame of the gallery and all the metal parts are grounded; that is, they are connected to the positive terminal of the battery B which supplies the operating current. One terminal of the motor and one terminal of lamp I93 may therefore be grounded on the frame in any convenient manner. The same is tru of the contact devices, and contact members 54, 65, 84 and EH are grounded on the frame. The six wires extending to the target may leave the compartment T in a conduit 262, shown in Fig. 2, which also carries a pair of wires for the lamps I92 and-I94. The conduit 282 extends to a junction box ZiiI, where the wires for lamps I92 and IB I branch on". The tar et wires continue on in a conduit 2% which is enclosed within the wall of the silencer chamber 3. The far end of this conduit can be seen in Fig. 3 Where it enters the target housing. As the battery B is preferably not located in the compartment I with the indicator apparatus, two additional wires must be run from this compartment to the battery, wherever it is located. Also, four wires extending to the lamp I 95 and keys K and K at the control point. These wires may leave by way of a conduit 203, Fig. 1.

The shooting gallery shown and described herein is adapted for use in a variety of situations, and may be operated entirely automatically, being provided in that case with coin-operated mechanism for dispensing ammunition and for placing the target in operation, and withv automatic mechanism for printing and issuing tickets showing the score. Certain features already mentioned have been designed, in fact, with automatic operation in view. Among these features may be mentioned the arrangement for preventing fraudulent bulls-eye manipulation, the concealed wiring to the target, the locked indicator compartment and target housing, and the guard for the rifle, which prevents theft as well as dangerous handling in the gallery. In order not to unduly complicate the present application, however, the coin-operated dispensing mechanism and the ticket-issuing mechanism have not been shown, and it will be assumed, therefore,

i that the gallery is used in a somewhat different situation Where it is subject to a certain degree of manual control and supervision.

There may be, for instance, a number of individual shooting galleries like the one disclosed herein, arranged side by side in a row in a suitable indoor location open to the public. These galleries may all be operated from a common battery, and are connected with a centrally located control station, where one or more attendants sell ammunition and assign the galleries for use. There may also be one or more attendants on the floor to assist or instruct beginners and to check and mark scores if competition is taking place. It will be understood that in this layout the control station will be equipped with a lamp such as I95 and keys, such as K and K for each individual gallery.

In order to describe the operation, it will be assumed that the gallery shown herein is installed as one of the galleries mentioned in the foregoing paragraph. It will be assumed further that the gallery is being used for shooting rounds in competition with other shooters, each round comprising forty-eight shots. The target and indicator are so arranged that each bullet striking the plate 33 counts 10, each bullet striking plate t5 counts 20, and each bullet entering the bull'seye counts 30. The maximum possible score per round of forty-eight shots is therefore 1440.

When a person desires to enter the competition, he will purchase forty-eight cartridges at the control station and will be assigned to an individual gallery not in use, being given also a ticket upon which may be entered the name of the shooter and the number of the gallery. The shooter then proceeds to this particular gallery, the one shown herein, for example, to begin his round. At the same time, the attendant will operate the key K of the assigned gallery and will observe the lamp I95. Although the indicators of galleries which have been previously used normally show the last score, as will be explained, the indicators are shown in Fig. 7 in zero or restored position for convenience, and accordingly the explanation will proceed with this understanding.

When the key K is operated, a circuit is completed for relay H2 which extends from ground by way of cam spring I53 of indicator I through the cam springs I55, I54, I52, and I of the other indicators, conductor i813, contact spring I of relay I I3, and winding of relay I I2 to negative battery at key K. Relay II2 accordingly energizes and closes a circuit for the lamp I95, which lights up. It will be understood that the closure of the above circuit for relay H2 is contingent upon the indicators all being restored to zero position, which was assumed to be the case, and accordingly the lighting of the lamp I indicates this fact to the attendant.

The operation of key K also closes a circuit for relay H5, which energizes and at contact spring I83 attempts to close a circuit for relay I I5, which is, however, opened at the same time at contact spring I16 of relay H2. Relay H5 therefore does not energize at this time. Relay II5 also closes a circuit at contact spring I84 for relay Ill, which energizes and closes a locking circuit for itself at contact spring I85. At contact spring I38 relay II! prepares a circuit for the bulls-eye lamp I53, and at contact spring IE9 it closes a circuit for the motor 99. The motor accordingly begins to operate and by means of the cam I0 sets the bulls-eye in motion. The closure of contact I88 in the lamp circuit, although it does not light the lamp I93, does energize and operate the relay III, which at contact spring I49 supplies negative battery to relays I00, I03, I06, and I09. Relay H! has a high resistance winding and does not take enough current to light lamp I93.

When the attendant observes the lighting of lamp I95, he will restore the key K, which permits relays H2 and H to fall back. Relay 2 is slightly slow to release, which permits relay H5 to fall back first and avoids any chance of operating relay IIE. Relay II'I remains locked up. When relay II2 falls back, the resistance r is connected in the circuit of lamp H3 in parallel with relay Hi, this parallel circuit being established at contact spring I11, and lamp I93 receives sufficient current to cause it to light up and illuminate the bulls-eye.

The foregoing operations take place very rapidly, and when the shooter arrives at the gallery he finds it ready for use. The rifle II will be resting on the extension IE3. It is loaded and fired in the usual manner. However, as explained before, the shooter is kept at the proper distance from the target by the extension I0, and although there is nothing to interfere with proper aiming of the rifle, it cannot be withdrawn from from the gallery. 'This avoids the possibility of injury to others by an inexperienced or careless person who is unacquainted with or oblivious to the dangerous nature of firearms.

It will be assumed that on the first shot the bullet strikes the plate 4|. This is a miss and does not count in the score, but does operate the shot indicator mechanism. When the bullet strikes plate 4|, the impact causes one or more of the pendulums such as Hi to swing to the rear and engage the associated contact springs. These contact springs, including spring 52, are all connected in multiple. Assuming pendulum 5! is actuated, a ground is placed on contact spring 52, which energizes relay I99, over a circuit including the lower winding of the relay. On energizing, relay E09 locks itself at contact spring I28 and closes a circuit for relay H6 at contact spring I29. The latter relay, on energizing, closes a circuit at contact spring MI, for the stepping magnet of the units shot indicator I4. Relay H0 also breaks the locking circuit of relay Hi2 which accordingly deenergizes and breaks the circuit of relay IIil, which falls back and breaks the circuit of the stepping magnet of indicator i i. The operation of the indicators will be described more in detail in the case of indicator I Suffice to say at this point that the energization and deenergization of the stepping magnet of indicator I causes the number wheel I13 to be advanced one step to display the digit 1. Cam H2 is of course advanced one step also, but the shifting of the cam springs has no effect at this time.

It will be observed here that the arrangement including the locking relay I09 insures that the shot will be recorded even though only one contact device responds, perhaps producing a very short impulse, and that only one shot will be recorded regardless of erratic operation of one or more of the control devices. The operated contact device or devices, although usually very reliable, may vibrate and close and open the circuit of relay I09 several times. The relay is so adjusted, however, that contact spring I28 makes before contact spring I29, and the relay locks itself on the first closure of its circuit; From this point on the operation is independent of the target contact devices. Relay I it is made slightly slow acting by means of a copper slug, so as to delay the unlocking of relay I09 until after any possible vibration of the target contact devices has ceased.

It will be assumed that on the next shot the bullet strikes the plate 43. In other words, the shot is sufficiently accurate so that the bullet passes through the opening t2 in plate 4|, but it does not pass through the opening A l in plate 43. The plate 43 yields somewhat to the impact of the bullet, and one of the contacts such as 54 is pressed momentarily into engagement with the associated contact spring such as 55. As all the contact springs such as 55 are connected in multiple, the contact spring 55 will be grounded, either directly or indirectly through another similar contact spring, and a circuit will be completed through the lower winding of relay I598. On energizing, relay Iiiii locks itself at contact spring I19, and at contact spring I20 closes a circuit for relay E05. On energizing in turn, relay IOI closes a circuit for the stepping mag net Hit of the indicator I at contact spring I3I, and at contact spring 53% the relay opens the locking circuit of relay I03. The latter relay accordingly falls back and breaks the circuit of relay fill at contact spring I28, whereupon the relay IiiI falls back also and breaks the circuit of the stepping magnet I60. It will be observed that the same arrangement employing a locking relay and a slow-acting relay is used for responding to the actuation of the contact devices 5455 as was used in the case of contacts 5I-52 operated by bullets striking the plate 4|. This arrangement, as explained before, obviates any possibility of an incorrect registration due to vibration or other erratic operation of the contact devices.

Continuing now with the operation of the indicator 1 when the circuit of the stepping magnet res is closed by the operation of relay IN, the magnet energizes and attracts its armature I54, which causes the pawl I65 to fall into the next adjacent notch in the ratchet wheel E62. When the magnet circuit is broken by the deenergization of relay IIH, the armature Ifid is retracted under the power or" the spring shown and the pawl advances the ratchet i6 2 and the associated number wheel iti one step, which causes the digit 1 to be displayed. As thedigit 1 appears in the tens position of the complete score indicator, this indicator now registers a score of 10.

It will be understood that the cam its rotates with the number wheel so that when the; indicator is advanced as explained, the operating point on the cam passes out from under the end of contact spring lei and allows this contact spring to break away from its upper contact and engage its lower contact. This operation, however, has no effect for the time being.

The momentary operation of relay ice as described in the foregoing closes a circuit at contact spring 521 for the lower winding of relay I09. This relay and the associated relay iI-Q accordingly are operated in the manner previously explained to step the units shot indicator 1 ahead one more step.

It will be assumed that the next shot is accurate enough so that the bullet will pass through the opening 44 in plat 53, but does not enter the bulls-eye opening 46, and accordingly the bullet will strike against the plate 45. The plate 45 yields or tilts slightly under the impact of the bullet and one or more contacts such as 65 will engage their associated contacts such as 65. Responsive to the grounding of contact 65, a circuit is completed for the lower winding of relay I03. On energizing, relay I03 locks itself at contact spring I22, at contact spring I24 closes a circuit for relay I00, and at contact spring I23 closes a circuit for relay I04. Relay I energizes and looks as previously explained, and closes a circuit at I20 for relay II, which energizes. Relay I04, on energizing, prepares a locking circuit for itself at contact spring I36, and at contact spring I35 closes a circuit for relay I05. On energizing, the latter relay breaks the locking circuit of relay I03 at contact spring I43. Relay I03 accordingly falls back and breaks the circuit of relay I04 at contact spring I23, but relay I04 remains temporarily locked up through its own contact spring I36 and the contact spring I34 of relay IOI. Relay I03 also breaks the circuit of relay I00 at contact spring I24, and this relay now deenergizes, for its locking circuit has already been broken by relay IOI. When relay ml was energized it of course closed the circuit for the stepping magnet I60 at contact spring I3I, and it now falls back to break this circuit. The resulting operation of the stepping magnet I60 causes the number wheel I6! to be advanced one step into the second position, thereby displaying the digit 2 instead of the digit 1 and causing the score indicator to show a total score of 20. When relay IOI deenergizes, it also breaks the locking circuit of slow acting relay I04 at contact spring I34, and relay I4 accordingly deenergizes after an instant, breaking the circuit of relay I05 at contact spring I65. Relay I05 is also slow acting, however, and remains operated for an instant after its circuit is broken, with the result that a circuit is established for reoperating relay IOI, which extends from ground by way of contact spring I35 in retracted position, contact spring I44 in attracted position, and the winding of relay IOI to negative battery. This circuitis broken after an instant by the deenergization of relay I05, but is effective to energize relay I01 again to transmit another impulse to the stepping magnet I60, advancing the number wheel I6! one more step. This causes the score indicator to display a total score of 30.

When relay I00 operates as described in the foregoing, it closes the circuit of relay I09, as in the previous case, and relays I09 and IIO'are operated to advance the units shot indicator I an additional step, to register the third shot. The shot indicator will accordingly now display the digit 3.

It will be assumed now that the next shot is accurate enough to cause the bullet to enter the bulls-eye opening 46. Passing through this opening, the bullet impacts against the plate 90 and rotates the member 80 on its pivot 9i, causing contact spring 84 to engage contact spring 85 momentarily. This operation places a ground on contact spring 85 and closes a circuit through the lower winding of relay I06. On energizing, relay I06 locks itself at contact spring I25, and at contact spring I21 closes a circuit for relay I03. The latter relay energizes and at contact spring I24 closes an energizing circuit for relay I00. The energization of relay I03 is followed by the energization of relays I04 and 105, while relay I00 causes the energization of relay I0l, all as previously explained. Relay I06, on energizing, also closes a circuit at contact spring I 26 for relay 101, which energizes, and at contact spring I31 closes a circuit for relay I08. Relay I08 closes a circuit at contact spring I41 for relay energizing, relay I06 also breaks the energizing circuit through the lower winding of relay I 03, and as this relay is just now unlocked by the operation of relay I05, it falls back and breaks the circuit of relay I4. This relay, however, remains locked up temporarily through the contact spring I34 of relay I01. On falling back, relay I03 also breaks the circuit of relay I60, which now deenergizes, since its locking circuit has been broken by the operation of relay I0l. Relay I01 now falls back and breaks the circuit of stepping magnet I60, which circuit was previously established by the energization of relay I0 I. The stepping magnet accordingly retracts its armature I64 and advances the number wheel I6I an additional step. Relay IOI also breaks the locking circuit of relay I04, whereupon relays I 4 and I5 deenergize in succession. In the interval between the falling-back of relay H04 and the falling-back of relay I05 an impulse is transmitted to relay I0! in the manner previously explained, whereupon magnet I60 is again energized and deenergized and the number wheel I6I is advanced one more step. When relay I05 deenergizes it breaks the locking circuit of relay I01 and accordingly relays I01, I08, and I02 fall back in succession. Relay I01 falls back at the same time or an instant later than relay l0I, as their circuits are broken simultaneously by relay I05. After a short interval, relay I06 falls back and closes another circuit for relay IOI, the circuit including contact spring I 42 of relay I02. This circuit is broken shortly by the fallingback of relay I02. Thus it will be seen that another impulse is transmitted to relay IOI, Which causes magnet l6 to again energize and deenergize, with the result that the number wheel I6I will be advanced one more step. This number wheel has been advanced three steps altogether responsive to the bulls-eye hit and displays a total score of 60. 1

During the foregoing relay operations initiated by relay I06, relay N30 is energized once and brings about the operation of relays E09 and H0, as previously explained, to advance the number Wheel I13 of the units shot indicator I one additional step. This indicator will now display the digit 4, indicating that four shots have been fired. Reviewing the operations briefly at this point, it will be seen that all of the four shots fired so far have produced different results. The first shot was a miss and, although it caused the op eration of the shot indicator, it did not operate the score indicator and hence was not counted in the score. The next shot caused the operation of relays I60 and I02 and advanced the tens score indicator I one step, also advancing the shot indicator. The next shot caused the operation of relays I03, 504, and i555, and also relays I00 and Hill. The latter relays performed their function of advancing the tens score indicator I one step and relay I 00 also caused the advance of the shot indicator as usual. In addition, re-

lays act and IE functioned to reoperate relay Illl to advance the tens score indicator I an additional step. The last shot, the bulls-eye hit, caused the operation of relays I95, I97, I98, and 102. Relay 5% brought about the operation of relay I83, resulting in a series of relay operations the same as those occurring responsive to the previous shot. Relays IE3 and H32 also cooperated in sending an additional impulse to relay IElI, causing the advance of the tens score indicator one step in addition to-the two steps brought about by the operation of relay I93.

ihe thing to be observed here is that a against the plate 55, which has a value of 25, is scored by operating the same relays used to score a hit on plate having a value of 10, and by reoperating the relay it! to add more to the score. The same principle is used in scoring a bulls-eye hit, having a value of 30, which is done by operating the same relays used to score for a hit on plate and by causing an additional operation of relay ifil to score 10 more. The principle thus employed obviates any danger of incorrect scoring due to a bullet striking the edge or rim of opening id, for instance, and

ctuating a contact device associated with plate 43 and also one associated with plate 4%. It can be seen that this will frequently happen, also simultaneous actuation of contacts 55E5 and SASE5, or 5ia2 and 53-55. Such marginal shots are always scored at the highest value, but cannot be scored twice, as would be the case if entirely separate controlling relays were employed for the di erent possible hits. For instance, a single bullet may operate contact device 5455 and also contact de ice E5'-65, but only 20 is scored and not 20 plus 10, because relay tilt is operated anyway in the scoring of 20, and it makes no difference whether it is operated from relay 93 or from the contact device 54-55.

Attention may now be directed to certain incidental operations taking place when the bullseye is hit. Relay I33, on energizing, closes a circuit at contact spring M3 for the lamp I94. This lamp, located on top of casing 2, lights up for a short interval while the relay remains ener mainly for the ediiication of the shooter and to add interest to the round, although it also may serve as a supervisory signal to the attendant at the control station. gizing, opens the branch circuit through resistance r by means of which the bulls-eye lamp I93 is lit, thus extinguishing the lamp. This operation is not strictly necessary, but is designed to delay the next shot suihciently to allow time for registering the score.

Continuing with the explanation, the tens score indicator 1 which has now been advanced to display the digit 6, will be further advanced one step at a time as shooting of the round goes on until it shortly displays the digit 9, showing a cumulative score of 90. When the number wheel advances to display the digit 9, the cam IE6 also advances into position to actuate the cam spring I5i, thus preparing a circuit for the stepping magnet of the hundreds score indicator I Upon the neXt energization of relay Iili therefore, when an impulse is transmitted to the stepping magnet Ifiil by contact spring i3I, an impulse will also be transmitted to the stepping magnet of the indicator I by contact spring I32. Thus the num er wheel Iiil of indicator I is advanced to display the digit 0, while the number wheel I59 of indicator 1 is advanced to display the digit 1.

Relay 62, on ener- The score indicator now shows a cumulative score of 100.

From the foregoing it will be understood that the hundreds indicator 1 is advanced one step for each complete rotation of the tens indicator l Eventually the hundreds indicator will be advanced to display the digit 9, for a score of 900, and simultaneously cam E65 will prepare a circuit for the stepping magnet of thousands indicator I by actuating cam spring The next time the number wheel Hi1 displays digit 9, score 990, and cam I arrives in position to actuate cam spring I55, this spring will not only prepare a circuit for the stepping magnet oi indicator I but will also prepare a circuit for the stepping magnet of indicator I in cooper tion with the cam spring I53. The next time the relay lDI operates, all three of the score indicator stepping magnets are energized, and indi ators I and I are advanced from 9 to 0, while indicator I is advanced from 0 to l. The score indicator now shows a score of 1006. As the maximum score for forty-eight shots is 1440, the thousands indicator will never be advanced more than once per round, and hence the number wheel HI need have only the digits 0 and i. To permit longer rounds, however, it may have the full complement of digits.

The relays i953 and lid which control the shot indicators 1 and I are operated responsive to each shot, as previously explained, and accordingly the units shot indicator is stepped ahead once per shot. When the number wheel 573 is advanced to display the digit 9, the cam H2 will actuate cam spring I56 and prepare a circuit for the stepping magnet of tens shot indicator 1 Upon the next operation of relay H3, therefore, indicators 1 and I will be advanced simultaneously, the former from 9 to 0, and the latter from 0 to 1.

Indicator I is thus advanced one step for each complete rotation of indicator 1*, and after forty shots have been fired will display the digit 4. In this position cam I14 actuates the cam spring E59. As further shots are fired, the indi ator 1 is advanced step by step, and when exactly ei pt more shots have been fired, the number wheel ITS will display the digit 8, and cam H2 will actuate cam spring I57. A circuit is now completed for relay 1E8, extending from ground by way of cam spring I5'l, cam spring I59, upper winding of relay H8, and contact spring IS? to negative battery. On energizing, relay Hi3 establishes a locking circuit for itself at contact spring Edi), closes a circuit for lamp I92 at spring IQl, and breaks the locking circuit of relay ill at contact spring H86. Relay it? falls back and opens the motor circuit at contact spring 89, also the circuit of the bulls eye lamp 293 at contact spring i88. This stops the motor and extinguishes the bulls-eye lamp. The breaking of the lamp circuit also deenergizes relay l i i, which falls back and cuts oif the battery supply to relays I80, I03, I06, and I09.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that upon the completion of the round of forty-eight shots the gallery is automatically taken out of service and rendered inoperative for further shooting. The lamp IE2 is lighted at this time to attact the attention of an attendant, who will come over and enter the total score on the shooters ticket, having it verified if necessary. The button 9 is then depressed momentarily to unlock relay I53, and the lamp i92 is extinguished. The gallery remains in this condition until it is assigned for use on another round.

It will be assumed now that this particular gallery is reassigned, in order that the operation of restoring the indicators may be explained. When the attendant at the control station again actuates the key K, no circuit is completed for relay II2 because several or all of the indicators are out of zero position and the chain circuit extending to ground at cam spring IE8 is broken at a number of points. Lamp I95, therefore, does not light up immediately. Relay I i5 is energized, however, and closes a circuit for relay IIl with results as previously explained. Relay H5 also closes a circuit for the interrupter relay lit at contact spring I 83, said circuit extending from ground by way of contact spring I83, winding of relay IIt, contact spring I82, a pair of contacts associated with contact spring I88, resistance r, contact spring I78, and contact spring [T6 to negative battery. Relay H6 is slow acting and operates as an interrupter to break its own circuit at the rate of about ten times per second. On the first energization of relay H6, it closes a circuit for slow acting relay H3, which energizes and remains operated thereafter as long as relay H6 continues to operate. On energizing, relay H3 closes a circuit for the slow acting relay II-t and at contact spring IBIS disconnects the interrupter relay H6 from the resistance r and connects it instead to the conductor I89, at the same time disconnecting this conductor from relay I I2. The conductor I38 extends to the cam spring I 50 of indicator 1 and interrupter relay H5 therefore operates in series with the stepping magnet I60, which advances the number wheel I6l rapidly to zero. When this position is reached the cam IE6 arrives at the position where it is shown in the drawings and transfers the restoring circuit from the stepping magnet of indicator I to the stepping magnet of indicator I in an obvious manner, assuming that this next indicator is not in zero position. The indicator I is next restored and on reaching zero position the restoring circuit is transferred to the stepping magnet of indicator 1 It will be understood therefore that the indicators are restored to zero successively, beginning with the indicator I When the indicator I becomes restored, the restoring circuit is connected to ground at cam spring I58, and the interrupter relay H5 cannot operate again and remains deenergized. After a short interval the slow acting relay H3 falls back and breaks the circuit of slow acting relay I It and also re-establishes the normal connection of conductor I82 to relay I I2 and relay lit to resistance 1'. Relay H2 accordingly energizes and at contact spring HI; disconnects negative battery from the initial energizing circuit of relay H6. Relay H4, being slow acting, holds this circuit open long enough at contact spring I78 so that relay Ht cannot energize again over its initial energizing circuit.

Relay I I2 also lights the lamp I95, which notifies the attendant that all the indicators have been restored to zero. The key K is accordingly restored, which allows relay H2 to fall back and light the bulls-eye lamp, as previously explained. If lamp I95 fails to light up, the attendant knows that something is wrong and will assign another individual gallery for use. At the same time the gallery shown may be stopped and taken out of service by restoring key K and by momentarily operating key K which unlocks relay I H. The last mentioned key is an emergency key which can be used not only in the unusual situation mentioned, but also to unlock relay H7 in the event a round is not completed for some reason. It can be used to restore relay H? after the firing of test shots, or after a number of shots have been fired purely for amusement.

In Fig. 6 a modified bulls-eye contact device has been shown. Describing this arrangement briefly, it includes a member 222 adapted to bev impacted by a bullet entering the bulls-eye opening 45, which is mounted against the plate 68 by means of a spring 220. This spring is given tension toward plate 68, which is opposed by a coil spring 224. These springs hold member 222 in the position in which it is shown. Above the bulls-eye opening and inside the housing 41 there is mounted a solenoid 227, having a movable core 226. The latter carries an extension 22I, in which there is an opening 223, normally positioned in alignment with the bullseye opening so that a bullet passing through the latter will pass through opening 223 also. The solenoid core has attached to it a contact spring 222 adapted to engage a contact spring 228. The spring 229 also serves as a contact spring and is adapted to engage contact spring 225.

When the member 222 is hit by a bullet it moves to the rear and contact spring 228 engages contact spring 225, closing a circuit from the'grounded frame through springs 222 and 225, winding of solenoid 221, and over conductor 23% to negative battery. On energizing, the solenoid 22'! attracts the core 226 and raises it v sufiiciently to cause contact spring 229 (grounded on the frame) to engage contact spring 228, thereby closing a circuit for relay Hi6, Fig. 7, of the indicating apparatus. Contact spring 223, it will be understood, corresponds to contact spring 85 of the modification shown in Fig. 3. If a wire or other implement is inserted through the openings it and 223, and member 222 is pressed back to ground contact 225, the solenoid will be energized the same as when member 222 is impacted by a cullet, but the wire or other implement will prevent any more than a partial raising of the core of the solenoid and the movement will be arrested before spring 229 engages spring 228. Thus the attempt to fraudulently operate the bulls-eye contact device is defeated.

As intimated previously, the shooting gallery shown herein may be used purely as an amusement device. In this case arrangements may be made for operating the game device in extension IEJ in conjunction with the gallery in order to add interest to the use of the latter and thereby promote the sale of ammunition,

The arrangement may be such, for example, that each shot fired at the target brings about the release of a ball in the game device. After a number of shots have been fired, therefore, the game device may be played; or if desired, the firing at the target and playing of the game device may alternate, the ball released upon the firing of each shot being played before the next shot is fired. In order to carry out the foregoing, a magnet 2112, Fig. '7, is provided together with a key K Magnet 2H! may be included as part of the game device and controls the ball-releasing mechanism. Key K is for changing the gallery into an amusement device, and when actuated, connects up the magnet 2H so that the latter will be operated each time the relay its is energized. The key K may also perform other switching operations if considered necessary or desirable, and of course the arrangement whereby magnet H0 is controlled by relay I09 may be modified. In a given case, for instance, it might be desirable to make the number of balls rendered available dependent on the accuracy of the shots fired, and to accomplish this an additional pair of contacts would be provided on relay Hi! to control magnet 2N). Or it might be thought best to release a ball only if the bulls-eye is hit, in which case the magnet 210 could be placed under the control of relay Hi8. t will be understood also that the magnet 2H1 is not necessarily included as part of a game device, but may be used to control apparatus for dispensing to the shooter merchandise or prizes in accordance with the number or accuracy of the shots fired.

It will be seen that I have devised a highly improved shooting gallery having many advantages over previous devices of this character, which render it useful not only as an amusement device but as a pure game of skill in which the results secu-ed depend wholly on the ability of the shooter. My improved gallery is especially valuable in this latter field, where its accuracy and reliability afford facilities for competitive shooting not heretofore available. In this field in parti ular, the foolproof design of the target and its freedom from the usual troubles inherent in prior broaden the prospects from the commercial angle, and with the described arrangements for preventing fraud and tampering, render possible the development of unsupervised competitive shooting on a highly organized scale, state-wide or national in extent.

While I have described herein a certain specific embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that this was done merely to facilitate the explanation, and that the invention and the various features thereof may be used in other ways and in different organizations of apparatus and equipment. Modifications may also be made, including those already suggested. Under these circumstances, therefore, I do not desire to be limited to the exact form of my invention disclosed herein, but desire to include and have protected by Letters Patent all forms and modifications thereof that come within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a shooting gallery, a bullet-actuated contact device, a relay operated by said contact device, a locking circuit for said relay to prevent repeated operation thereof by vibration of said contact devices, a second relay energized by said first relay and eifective to break said locking circuit after said vibration has ceased, and a register controlled by one of said relays.

2. In a shooting gallery, a plate forming part of a target, a contact device actuated by movement of said plate under the impact of a bullet, a relay energized by said contact device, a register controlled by said relay, means responsive to energization of said relay for holding it energized a predetermined time to prevent false registration due to vibration of said contact device, and means for automatically deenergizing said relay at the expiration of said time.

3. In a shooting gallery, a target including contact devices selectively actuated in accordance with the accuracy of shots fired at the target, a cumulative score register, a cumulative shot register, means including relays controlled by said contact devices for variably operating said bullet-actuated mechanisms tend to score register responsive to each shot, and means including one of said relays for operating said shot register responsive to each shot.

4. In a shooting gallery, a target, a score register, a shot register, electromagnet means responsive to each shot within predetermined accuracy limits for variably operating said score register depending on the accuracy of the shot, and means responsive to each shot including shots outside said predetermined accuracy limits for operating said shot register.

5. In a shooting gallery, a target comprising a plurality of spaced members having openings therein which progressively decrease in size from the front of the target to the rear, a score register, means responsive to the impact of bullets on said members for selectively operating said score register, and means for preventing a false registration due to a single bullet impacting two of said members.

6. In a shooting gallery, a target including a plate member leaving an opening therein constituting a bulls-eye, contact devices adapted to be operated, respectively, by bullets striking said plate member and passing through the bullseye opening therein, a register, means controlled by said contact devices for variably operating said register, and means for preventing a double registration due to a bullet striking the edge of said opening and actuating both contact devices.

7. In a shooting gallery, score register, a target, means responsive to a bullet impacting a a different area of said target for operating said register, means whereby said first means is also operated each time said second means is operated, and means whereby the operation of the register by the second means is delayed until aft-er the operation thereof by th first means.

In combination, a shooting gallery includ ing a target and automatic score and shot registers, an attendants station, means responsive to actuation of a switch at the attendants station for restoring said registers, a signal at the attendants station for indicating when the restoration is complete, means responsive to restoration of said switch for illuminating said target, means controlled by said shot register on completion of a round for rendering said last means inoperative, and another signal for indicating the completion of the round.

9. In a shooting gallery, a target, a plurality of registers, means in the target for setting said registers, an attendants station, a circuit extending between said station and registers, means responsive to closure of said circuit at the station for successively restoring said registers, and a signal at the attendants station controlled over said circuit responsive to restoration of the last register.

10. In combination, a shooting gallery including a target and a bullet-actuated score register, an attendants station, remote control means whereby the attendant at said station can restore said register to normal, and a signal at said station operated responsive to the completion of the restoring operation.

11. In combination, a shooting gallery including a target and a bullet-actuated score register, an attendants station, means controlled from said station for rendering said register operative, a bullet-actuated shot register, and means controlled by said shot register for rendering the score register inoperative after a predetermined number of shots have struck the target.

12. In a shooting gallery, a target with a movable bulls-eye, a motor for operating said bullseye, manually actuated means for starting said motor, and automatic means responsive to a predetermined number of bullets impinging on said target for stopping said motor.

13. In a shooting gallery, a target having a bullseeye, a lamp for illuminating said bulls-eye, manually operated means for closing a circuit for said lamp, and automatic means responsive to a predetermined number of bullets impinging on said target for opening the circuit of said lamp.

14-. In a shooting gallery, a target including selectively actuated contact devices responsive to the impact of bullets on said target, there being also a bulls-eye and an associated contact device actuated by the impact of bullets thereon, a score register controlled by said contact devices, a lamp for illuminating said bulls-eye, and means responsive only to said bulls-eye contact device and effective each time the bulls-eye contact device is actuated for momentarily extinguishing said lamp for a predetermined time and for automatically relighting it.

15. In a shooting gallery, a target, a score totalizer comprising a plurality of registers, each for registering a different digit in the score, means including contact devices in the target for operating said registers, a circuit for restoring said registers, said circuit terminating in the first register when the registers are off normal, means for transmitting impulses over said circuit, and means in each register effective upon restoration thereof for transferring said circuit to the next register.

16. In a shooting gallery, a target, a lamp for illuminating said target, a relay for closing the circuit of said lamp, means under manual control for energizing said relay, a locking circuit for said relay, means responsive to a predetermined number of bullets impacting said target for breaking said locking circuit, and manually operated means for breaking said locking circuit at Will.

17. In a shooting gallery, a bullet actuated contact device, a relay operated by said device, a locking circuit for said relay, a second relay energized by said first relay and effective to break said locking circuit, and means for rendering said second relay slow to deenergize to thereby prevent the reclosure of said locking circuit by a second energization of the first relay within a predetermined time.

18. In a shooting gallery, a bullet actuated contact device, a relay operated by said device, a locking circuit for said relay, a second relay energized by said first relay to break said locking circuit, and a locking circuit for said second relay controlled by said first relay.

19. In a shooting gallery, an electrical contact device, a relay operated by said device, a locking circuit for said relay, a second relay energized by said first relay to break said locking circuit, a locking circuit for said second relay closed at one point by energization thereof, and means controlled by said first relay for closing the locking circuit of the second relay at another point and for opening it after a predetermined time.

20. In a shooting gallery, a target, a plurality of relays, each responsive to a bullet impinging on a different area of said target, and means whereby one of said relays, on energizing, causes the energization of another of said relays.

21. In a shooting gal1ery,'a target, a plurality of relays, each responsive to a bullet impinging on a difierent area of said target, means whereby one of said relays, on energizing, causes the energization of another of said relays, and means for deenergizing the last energized relay while the first energized relay remains energized.

22. In a shooting gallery, a target, a plurality of relays, each responsive to a bullet impinging on a different area of said target, and means whereby one of said relays, on energizing, causes the successive energization of all the other relays.

23. In a shooting gallery, a target, a plurality of relays, each responsive to a bullet impinging on a different area of said target, means whereby one of said relays, on energizing, causes the successive energization of all the other relays, and means for deenergizing said relays in reverse order. 7

24. In a shooting gallery, a target, two relays energized and deenergized in response to a bullet striking said target, one of said relays being deenergized a predetermined time after the other relay, a score register, and a control circuit for said register completed by joint action of said relays during said predetermined time.

25. In a shooting gallery, a target, a relay energized and deenergized in response to a bullet striking said target, a slow releasing relay conrolled by said first relay, a circuit including a back contact on said first relay and a front contact on said slow relay, and a register controlled over said circuit.

26. In a shooting gallery, a target, a score register, a relay, a circuit over which said relay transmits impulses for operating said register, and means for energizing said relay a variable number of times responsive to a single bullet striking said target, the number of times said relay is energized depending on the accuracy of the shot.

27. In a shooting gallery, a target, two relays energized in response to bullets striking difierent areas of said target, respectively, means whereby one of said relays, on energizing, energizes the other relay, and a score register controlled by said relays, respectively, in the reverse order of their energization.

28. In a shooting gallery, a target, two relays energized in response to bullets striking different areas of said target, respectively, means whereby one of said relays, on energizing, energizes the other relay, a score register operated by said other relay, and means controlled by saidfirst relay and effective after the score register has been operated by the other relay to advance said score relay again.

29. In a shooting gallery, a target, a plurality of relays, means for energizing all said relays in response to a single bullet striking said target, the last one of said relays being energized before the first is deenergized, means for deenergizing said relays successively in the reverse order of their energization, a score register, and, means including said relays for advancing said register a plurality of times each time the relays are energized and deenergized.

30. In a shooting gallery, a target, two contact devices of different value arranged to be operated by bullets striking diiTerent areas of said target, respectively, a register, means responsive to the operation of the contact device of lower value for operating said register, and means responsive to the operation of the contact device of higher value for operating said register a plurality of times, including means whereby the first of said plurality of operations is efiected by operating said first means.

31. In combination, a shooting gallery including a target, control relays normally non-responsive to bullets impinging on said target, a cumulative score register adapted to be controlled by said relays, an attendants station, and means in said gallery operated by remote control from said station for rendering said relays responsive to bullets impinging on said target.

32. In combination, a shooting gallery including a target and a bullet actuated score register, a control and supervisory station for said gallery, control means in said gallery operated by remote control from said station, and a supervisory signal at said station controlled from said gallery.

33. In combination, a shooting gallery including a target and a bullet actuated cumulative score register, an attendants station, a conductor extending from said gallery to said station, a circuit including said conductor and controlled from said station for restoring said register to normal, and a supervisory lamp at said station controlled over said conductor.

34. In combination, a shooting gallery including a target and a bullet actuated cumulative score register, an attendants station, a conductor extending from said gallery to said station, and means at said station for transmitting impulses over said conductor to advance said register step by step to normal position.

35. In combination, a shooting gallery including a target and a bullet actuated cumulative score register, said register comprising a plurality of digit counters, an attendants station, means at the station for indicating whether said register is in normal or set position, a conductor over which said indicatin means is controlled, means for sending impulses over said conductor to advance said counters to normal, and means in each counter operative to transfer said circuit to the next counter.

36. In combination, a shooting gallery including a target, said target having a bulls-eye, a lamp for illuminating said bulls-eye, an attendants station, means at said gallery responsive to operation of a switch at said station for preparing a circuit for said lamp, and means responsive to restoration of said switch for completing said circuit.

37. In combination, a shooting gallery including a target having a bulls-eye, a bulls-eye lamp, 2. local circuit for said lamp controlled from an attendants station, said circuit including a high resistance relay, and a lower resistance circuit for said lamp also controlled at said station.

38. In combination, a shooting gallery including a target having a movable bulls-eye, a motor for moving said bulls-eye, a self-locking relay, means at an attendants station for initially energizing said relay, a circuit for said motor completed by said relay, and means at the said station for unlocking said relay.

39. In combination, a shooting gallery including a target having a bulls-eye, a bulls-eye lamp, a self-locking relay for closing a circuit for said lamp, manual means for initially energizing said relay, a second relay for unlocking said first relay, bullet actuated means for energizing said second relay, a locking circuit for said second relay, a signal controlled by said second relay, and manually operated means for opening the locking circuit of said second relay.

40. In a shooting gallery, a target, a lamp for illuminating said target, means for automatically extinguishing said lamp in response to a predetermined number of bullets impacting said target, means for signalling an attendant when said lamp is extinguished, said last means including a self-locking relay, and manually operated means for unlocking said relay.

41. The combination, with a shooting gallery having a bullet actuated score register, of an' attendants station, an interrupter, means at said station for starting the operation of said interrupter, and means controlled by said interrupter for connecting itself in circuit with said register to restore the same.

42. The combination, with a shooting gallery having a bullet actuated score register, of a combined restoring and supervisory circuit extending from said gallery to an attendants station, means at said station for closing said circuit through a supervisory relay, an impulse sender started by actuation of said means in case said relay does not energize, and means controlled by said sender for connecting itself in said circuit in place of said relay.

43. The combination, with a register restoring circuit for the score register of a shootin gallery, of an impulse sender, a local circuit for starting the operation of said sender, means controlled by the sender for connecting itself in said restoring circuit, said means being operative to disconnect the sender after the restoration operation is completed, and means for preventing said sender from re-operating over its local circuit after it is disconnected from said restoring circuit.

44. In a shooting gallery, a target, a relay responsive to the impact of a bullet on a certain area of said target, a score register controlled by said relay, a relay responsive to the impact of a bullet on a different area of said target, a shot register controlled by said second relay, and means whereby each time said first relay is operated it causes the operation of said second relay.

45. In a shooting gallery, a target, a bullet actuated score register, a bullet actuated shot register, each of said registers comprising a plurality of digit counters, an individual stepping magnet for each counter, a restoring circuit common to all said stepping magnets, and means for connecting said magnets in said circuit successively.

46. In a shooting gallery, a target, a score register including two digit counters, means responsive to the impact of bullets on said target for actuating the first of said counters, a cam on the shaft of said first counter, a circuit closed in one position of said cam for operating the second counter the next time the first counter is operated, a restoring circuit for the first counter, and means operated by said cam in another position thereof for transferring said restoring circuit to the second counter.

RODNEY G. RICHARDSON. 

